This is simply a site to post photos that I've taken and that I'd like to share. These photos are copyrighted and are for viewing on this post only (not for resale or distribution). If you are really interested in obtaining one of my photos... contact me at " imagesbywilliammoore@hotmail.com" (or go directly to: www.imagesbywilliammoore.smugmug.com and http://wacm3.redbubble.com/ ). . Enjoy.
www.imagesbywilliammoore.smugmug.com

How I know God guides my photography.....

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies announce what his hands have made. Day after day they tell the story; night after night they tell it again. They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard. But their message goes out through all the world; their words go everywhere on earth." Psalm 19: 1 - 4 (NCV).

Every time I look through the lens of my camera I see God working. Every day He reveals His majesty. Every night He shows me how He creates beauty even in the darkness. Even if I had not known Him before I started taking photos, the moment I looked at His creation up close (or far away) I see His glory and He guides me to see His beauty in all He has created. Photography just allows me to capture an image of what He has created.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Winter turns to......

There is just something spectacular about the first blossoms of spring. Well, it’s not quite spring yet, however the almond blossoms in my neck of the woods have started to bloom and the weather today was calling me out to enjoy the sun and the views.

My youngest daughter (who is a very accomplished photographer) and I just took off for a five hour ride into the countryside. Through the valley and the rolling hills, past the still barren grape vines and old gnarly walnut orchards, and finally up over a rise until we came upon what can only be described as a sea of pink and white. It’s almond blossom time and it was just what I needed to get the camera out and ready to go take pictures.

Recently I had been reading up on various filters that photographers use to create these special shots. One (and one which so many photo enthusiasts forget about when creating a photo bag) is the “Neutral Density” filter. As with so many filters, there are so many grades and sizes (differing in as many ways as there are different lens a photographer can use). I had to pick one to experiment with so I picked a mid-range ND 4X (each “X” reduces the f-stop on your lens so less light comes through the lens allowing for a longer exposure time and a different effect in the photo. It’s too long to explain here, but trust me… if you’re using a DSLR, you should look into getting at least one Neutral Density filter for your camera… pick the lens you use the most).

Here are just a couple of shots I took today. Over the next couple of weeks the intensity of the blossoms will only grow larger as more blooms burst open. I’ll add a comparison photo later so you can see the difference. Today was a very bright sunny day with only a few wispy thin clouds. Next time I hope to have those thunder-heads that I like to photograph in the picture to bring more interest and form. Spring is a great time to get out and start shooting.

The first photo was facing north by north west. I was using a Pentax 28-105 mm telephoto lens and shot at 1/30 sec at f 4.5 at 68mm (that's 102mm at 35mm film). I did use flash, spot meter,auto exposure, and an ISO at 100. I used my new Neutral Density filter 4X, along with a UV(O) filter and a Circular Polarization filter (PL-CIR). Considering the density of the lens and the polorization filter, I really had to shoot at a longer time length even though it was a very bright sunny day. (It would have been easier if the wind had cooperated... however, the shot came out well in spite of the movement.

The second shot (of the almond orchard) was facing south (this was about 9 a.m.) and into the direction of the sun. Again I had all the filters on the camera. Facing the sun did make the shot a little more challanging. I shot again at 1/30 of a second (do to the filters), and at f 6.7. Auto mode, ISO 100. The lens was wide open at 28mm (42mm for those familiar with 35mm film). No flash this time as it would have taken a lot of flash to compensate for the back lighting of the sun (LOL)... Spot metering is the only way to go with that many filters. It was fun trying out new equipment and trying to get different effects. After I got home I was able to take the orchard photo and expariment with PhotoShop and this was the result... Ah, so much to shoot, so little time to play.

1 comment:

My photos are now available for purchase:

After months and months of showing my photos on "Looking Through My Eyes"... at local area galleries and shows, and being told over and over that I needed to start selling my images I decided to do just that.As of this posting my photos are available online with professional quality prints through the professional photo lab "BayPhoto"... My images (and your selections) can be made at my commercial site: www.imagesbywilliammoore.smugmug.com

Drop on over and take a look.If you see a photo you would like on this or the "Images by" site, you can also contact me at "Imagesbywilliammoore@hotmail.com".Special orders can be made through "WhiteHouse Photo" or "Adorama Pix" for larger sizes.

Check out where my photos can be found for other specialized prints

Am I a "Professional Photographer"?

Ever since I first picked up a camera I have been in love with what a camera can do.Starting off in film and learning darkroom techniques, I’ve enjoyed spending hours upon hours with my eyes scanning to horizons and focusing down on even the smallest of objects .I enjoy talking and writingabout my “photographing” experiences.

Just what is it about photography that makes it such a powerful medium and draws me in? Beside the joy of experiencing nature and allowing my creative side to grow, I also enjoy the new technological innovations of capturing images. What is that X-Factor that has embedded photography into almost every culture across the globe and people of all walks of life to engage in it?Photography has an incredible legacy since its development and has given people the ability to share their story for generations to come and influence cultures around the world.

I’ve been asked if I am a "Professional photographer".... well, there is a simple answer to that question: "No!". I'm not a professional photographer as photography is not my occupation (just a passion).

I've have sold many of my photos in galleries, however I’ve never focused on the “sales” part of photographing.I’ve probably given away more photos than I have sold.Photography for me is enjoyment. I'll leave the business part to the "Professionals"... I just enjoy taking interesting and unusual photos and sharing them - if someone wants to purchase one of my photos, well, that's just a bonus for me and allows me the flexibility to get out and take more photos. My web site where people can purchase photos is: http://www.imagesbywilliammoore.smugmug.com or at: http://wacm3.redbubble.com .

Photographing allows me to look at things differently.When I've my camera in hand, pillars become frames; rain becomes a mirror; clouds have forms in them, and I can forget for a moment all that is going on around me. It slows me down and lifts me up. Everyone should have a camera with them to change their perspective of their surroundings; there is beauty even where there appears to be none. Too often we choose not to see it, even when it is right before us. Photographing allows me that “moment of quiet”; then later I can share that time with others.

My hope is that through my photography others will stop, even for a moment, and share the beauty I see. If anyone is interested in my work, they can contact me atimagesbywilliammoore@hotmail.com . I appreciate comments on this blog in the comment section and if there is something that catches your eye or you have a location you think I might enjoy photographing, please share it.I encourage viewers of my work to offer their constructive suggestions on how to improve what a photograph also.

My Philosophy (or the lack of) in my photos

The philosophy behind the photoFor over forty years I have had an interest in photography. In the days of film and the darkroom, it was like the dark ages. I'd take a photo, hope and pray that I did everything right, step back and wait to see how close I could come to what I was seeing. The dark room was not always my friend.

Today, with the advent of digital photography and the quality of digital cameras and various programs available to process the final image, even I can manage to produce a quality photo.

I'm not a professional photographer. I don't even consider myself an experienced amateur photographer. No, I'm just someone who loves the process of photography. I enjoy sharing what I see and the joy in the face of others when they look at my work.

I don't have a philosophy in my photographing; I'll leave that to the really great photographers to develop. All I know is that when I am looking through the lens and waiting for that special moment to push the shutter to capture that split second in time, I get a feeling that I am creating memories not just for myself, but for others to share. That's the only photo philosophy I have... just enjoying the process and the result.

-Albert Einstein"A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them. But as people live on, they change completely. That is why I think a photograph can be kind."

To shoot poignant pictures we only need follow the path of our enthusiasm. I believe that this feeling is the universe's way of telling us that we are doing the right thing. The viewing public will always disagree over the intrinsic merits of a particular photograph, but no one can deny the enthusiasm that originally inspired us to capture and offer that image to others. - Timothy Allen

If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment. - Linda McCartney

You can't take a picture of something that is not in front of the camera. You can slant the angle wrong, you can light it wrong, you can lie in what you set before the camera, but the camera itself does not lie, you can fiddle with the picture afterwards you can develop it. But we implicitly know that there had to be something in front of that camera and so we tend to believe it since we tend to believe our eyes. - Vicki Goldberg

In my view you cannot claim to have seen something until you have photographed it. - Emile Zola